Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Douglas, Sir James to Pelham-Clinton, 5th Duke of Newcastle Henry Pelham Fiennes 2 May 1861, CO 60:10, no. 5478, 233.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (1), Enclosures (untranscribed) (2).
Douglas writes to Newcastle to confirm the discovery of gold deposits in the Okanagan, and others near Alexandria; he adds that despite the miners' excitement at the discoveries, the miners, “as
a body,” remain “well conducted and submissive to the Laws.” Finally, Douglas forwards a copy of Nind's report and “sketch of the new Gold-field.”
The file includes a report from Cox to the Colonial Secretary, on the gold discoveries in the Okanagan, and another extensive report, from Nind, on the same subject, but for the area around Alexandria.
No. 33
2 May 1861
In my Despatch marked Separate of the 28th of February
last, allusion was made, in Mr Cox's letter of the 16th of
January forming enclosure No 4, to some reported Gold Fields
at LakeOkanagon,
Okanagon, and the intention of the Gold Commissioner
to accompany a body of Miners to inspect that part of the
Country. The Miners proceeded on their proposed excursion,
and returned to Rock Creek in the beginning of March, when
they communicated the very satisfactory intelligence that
they had found grain and scale Gold, of fine quality, in
remunerative quantities, in all the streams flowing into the
western shore of Lake Okanagon, which isover
over 70 miles in
length. This important discovery had not been made public
at Rock Creek, for the reasons stated in Mr Cox's interesting
report on the subject, which I herewith transmit, unabridged,
for Your Grace's information.
Okanagon, and the intention of the Gold Commissioner
to accompany a body of Miners to inspect that part of the
Country. The Miners proceeded on their proposed excursion,
and returned to Rock Creek in the beginning of March, when
they communicated the very satisfactory intelligence that
they had found grain and scale Gold, of fine quality, in
remunerative quantities, in all the streams flowing into the
western shore of Lake Okanagon, which isover
over 70 miles in
length. This important discovery had not been made public
at Rock Creek, for the reasons stated in Mr Cox's interesting
report on the subject, which I herewith transmit, unabridged,
for Your Grace's information.
2. I have also just received a very satisfactory report
from Mr Commissioner Nind of Alexandria District, mentioning the great discoveries which have been made during the winter
at "Antler Creek", a tributary of Bear River,which
which flows from the mountains east of Quesnell Lake into the South Branch of Fraser River.
which flows from the mountains east of Quesnell Lake into the South Branch of Fraser River.
3. On the occasion of Mr Nind's visit to Antler Creek, the whole face of the country was still deeply covered with
snow, but a great number of Miners were nevertheless on the ground anxiously awaiting
the advent of Spring to commence operations.
4. These discoveries were alluded to in myDespatch
Despatch of
the 28th of February last, and are now satisfactorily
confirmed by the present report from Mr Nind, who, however,
refrains from giving currency to the perhaps exaggerated
statements received from Miners, that as much as 70 dollars
worth of gold has been extracted from a single pan full
(containing about one gallon) of earth.
Despatch of
the 28th of February last, and are now satisfactorily
confirmed by the present report from Mr Nind, who, however,
refrains from giving currency to the perhaps exaggerated
statements received from Miners, that as much as 70 dollars
worth of gold has been extracted from a single pan full
(containing about one gallon) of earth.
5. The confirmed impression however, is that a Gold-field,
of extraordinary richness, has been now discovered,
andI
I sincerely trust that those impressions may be fully realized.
I sincerely trust that those impressions may be fully realized.
6. It is matter of sincere congratulation that the
tranquillity of the country has been in no wise disturbed
by the excitements arising from those discoveries; and that,
as a body, the Miners are well conducted and submissive to the Laws.
7. A Copy of Mr Nind's Report, and sketch of thenew
new Gold-field, is also transmitted for Your Grace's information.
new Gold-field, is also transmitted for Your Grace's information.
Minutes by CO staff
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Philip H. Nind to Colonial Secretary, 27 March 1861, reporting on recent gold digging activities at Antler Creek, and other events in the Alexandria district (thirteen pages). Published in Further Papers Relative to the Affairs of British Columbia, Part IV (1862) pp. 50-52. Map ff p. 50.